Ultimate Coachella party guide

If three days and nights of stage-hopping from show to show at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival aren't enough to satiate your party appetite, another scene exists outside the gates.

A mix of celebrities, musicians and in-the-know festival-goers soak up the sun at VIP pool parties, and keep the energy going after hours at exclusive carnival-inspired events. The big ones are back for weekend one: Filter’s Yacht Club party on Thursday, Neon Carnival by Bolthouse on Saturday, and the return of Rhonda’s Queen of the Desert soiree, also on Saturday at the Saguaro Hotel. New this year, the Wynn/Encore crew is bringing a taste of the Vegas club scene to Coachella with a desert party series at the Renaissance Esmeralda.

Your passport to the hottest 2013 Coachella parties.

Filter Yacht Club Coachella Party – Thursdays, April 11 & April 18

Filter Magazine is kicking off both weekends of Coachella with an invite-only Yacht Club affair. Now in its 11th year, Filter’s annual event is a Coachella tradition for the music-minded party crowd. The 2013 Coachella double-hitter is presented American Eagle’s intimates brand Aerie. On April 11, the weekend one kick-off party will feature a live performance by St. Lucia, a DJ set with live vocals by Penguin Prison, plus DJ sets by Misshapes, K.I.D.S., Channel One and Tres Dubois. For those kicking off weekend two, Cayucas and Feathers will perform live, along with DJ sets by Oh Boy Les Mecs and Milkman on April 18. Invite-only, 21+, undisclosed location. filtermagazine.tumblr.com

XIV_Chuckie_Final

Vegas Desert Party Series at Renaissance Esmeralda – April 12-14

New this year, Las Vegas is invading Coachella for a series of desert pool parties and after-hours events catered to the VIP crowd. Sin City experts from Wynn/Encore and sbe Nightlife are teaming up with Renaissance Esmeralda for three days and nights of entertainment. The series kicks off Friday with a nighttime Desert Sessions party featuring beats by the Australian sister duo Nervo. On Saturday, the daytime Desert Sessions pool party brings beats from Dutch dance DJ Chuckie, plus a set by EC Twins. By night, house-electro great Morgan Page headlines the after party. Save some energy for Sunday; Sultan + Ned Shepard will spin poolside, with an opening set by LA Riots. Open to the public via bottle service tables. For reservations, email info@desertparties.com. Get details here.

hardrockcoachella

Hard Rock Music Lounge – April 12-14

The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will transform into an epicenter of off-site festivities during the first weekend of Coachella. Three days of invite-only entertainment with live performances, celebrity appearances, pop-up shops and even tequila shaved ice. First up for Friday is the Camel Valley Kickoff Pool Party with a DJ set by members of The Strokes known as White Light White Heat, and live performances by St. Lucia, Magic Wands and Mac DeMarco. Oh, there will also be a live camel at the party. On Saturday, Kelly Rowland will host the Women Who Rock Pool Party. And for the Sunday finale, it’s a Fool’s Gold Sunset Pool Party with sets by A-Trak and more label artists. Expected celebrity guests: Chad Michael Murray, Whitney Port, Ashley Benson, Catherine Giudici. 12 to 7 p.m. daily. RSVP while spots are still open at hardrockmusiclounge.com.

glife-flyer

G-Life Pool Party at Two Bunch Palms Resort – Saturday, April 13

Finally, a pool party for the hip-hop fans at Coachella! The G-Life Pool Party will rev up the day scene with live performances by Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man and Ghostface Killah, plus Red Man, The Gaslamp Killer, Tokimonsta and Thee Mike B. The party is going down Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at Two Bunch Palms Resort, with a Club 75 pop-up shop and Bert Rodriguez art installation. Open to the public. RSVP while spots are still available at glife.eventbrite.com. @GPen

F21 Desert Disco ft. Sky Ferreira at Saguaro Hotel – Friday, April 12

You picked up your festival-inspired fashion from Forever 21, and now it’s time to show off your look. Forever 21 presents Desert Disco, a daytime bash at The Saguaro Hotel. Synthpop singer Sky Ferreira is the face of F21’s Capsule Collection, and she will host the party and DJ for the crowd. More event perks: F21 pop-up shop and VIP gifting suite. Invite only. jdvhotels.com, @Forever21

Lacoste L!VE Coachella Party – April 13 & 14

Lacoste L!VE, the preppy brand’s edgy street art-inspired collection, throws a Desert Pool Party during Coachella every year. Actor-turned DJ Elijah Wood will once again be on the one’s and two’s The weekend will also feature DJ sets from Zach Cowie, Ana Calderon, Tennessee Thomas and Alexa Chung. This year, fans could enter to win party tickets (and a $500 shopping spree!) by rocking a Lacoste L!VE outfit and submitting a photo. Fashion demos, hosted cocktails and celeb spotting are a few perks of this annual pool party. 21+, undisclosed location. lacostelivedesertpoolparty.com

Neon Carnival – Saturday, April 13

A|X Armani Exchange and Bolthouse Productions are teaming up for the hottest ticket in town. Gerard Butler, Usher, Emma Roberts and Kellan Lutz were just a few celebs spotted at Neon Carnival last year. Imagine a pop-up carnival with rides and games taking over an industrial airport hangar in the middle of the desert. Then, add in live bands, DJ sets and a star-studded crowd. This year, the music lineup starts with Jesse Marco, Jus Ske and Kayper. Party starts at 10 p.m. More details TBD. @Neon_Carnival

SPIN House at Ace Hotel – Saturday, April 13

SPIN magazine is bringing live bands and DJ beats to the Ace Hotel during weekend one of the big music fest. SPIN House, a one-day event, is taking place Saturday, April 13, with live performances by ANTWON, King Tuff and Nite Jewel, plus Chrome Sparks on the DJ decks. RSVP online at spin.com, guest list will be open until the event hits capacity. 12 to 5 p.m.

rhonda2013

Rhonda, Queen of the Desert at Saguaro Hotel – Saturday, April 13

Calling all Rhonda fans, she is returning to Coachella this year with another pool party at the Saguaro Hotel. A Club Called Rhonda (finally!) announced the full talent lineup; Kenny Dope, J Rocc, House of House, Classixx and more special guests are booked for the daytime bash on Saturday. Good news, the party is free and open to the public. RSVP online here. Check for updates on Facebook.

Volt Valley Poolside Lounge – April 13 & 14

Thanks to Chevy’s electric car, you can take a festival break to sip on hosted Patron cocktails and zip line through the desert. The Volt Valley party will heat up with DJs and live performances (no confirmed lineup yet, but we hear it’s going to be good), plus hot air balloon rides, a zip line, a Coolhaus igloo with ice cream treats. The Chevy Volt’s daytime pool party is open to the public, with limited RSVP spots available. Email requests to TheMirage@nightvisionent.com. Undisclosed location. Noon to 6 p.m. thefutureiselectric.com

Vestal Village – April 13 & 14

Vestal Watch is taking over a top secret venue, located five miles from the Empire Polo Field, for the annual Vestal Village attraction. The two-day Coachella party will feature a varied lineup of DJs and live bands from noon to 6 p.m. Rumored acts include Weapons of Audio, LA Riots and Magic Wands. This is an invite-only event. vestalwatch.com

Desert Gold Weekend Events at Ace Hotel – April 11-21

Last year during Coachella, this hipster haven played host to a surprise live performance by Florence Welch. Need we say more? For Coachella 2013, Ace is pushing a packed schedule of pool party events Thursday through Sunday, both weekends. Third Man Records will host a pop up shop with live recordings on Desert Gold vinyl. You’ll want to hit the Do-Over party, going off consecutive Sundays, hosted by Adidas, with surprise guests. Fun fact: Devo front man Mark Mothersbaugh is designing custom pool toys. acehotel.com/desertgold, blog.doover.net

Bonus: A-Trak announced via his website that he’s spinning a Coachella party on Saturday, April 13. The website just lists TBA, so we’ll still on the hunt for more party details. djatrak.com